Malaysian Indian businesses in dire need of 100,000 foreign workers

Published: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 15:40 [IST]

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Kuala Lumpur, Mar. 14 (ANI): Malaysian Association Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) President K.K. Eswaran has said the Malaysian Indian business community is facing an acute foreign workers' shortage because of the government's restrictive policies.

Star Online quoted him as saying that at least 100,000 new foreign workers are required in Indian restaurants, second-hand metal shops, construction, goldsmith outlets, mini-markets and provision shops."They are also needed in laundries, hairdressing, textile, florists and tailoring outlets," Eswaran said after meeting representatives of the Indian business sector here on Friday."The associations have tried every means to recruit locals but have been unsuccessful. Some have to delay their production schedule due to the worker shortage," he added.Eswaran said the Indian businessmen specifically needed workers from India."It is difficult to source for a cook in an Indian restaurant or a craftsman for the goldsmith industry from any other country other than India," he said.He pointed out that goldsmiths, who get their jewellery designed from overseas, can recruit new workers and eventually save on foreign exchange.MAICCI has requested the Malaysian Government to allow them to be agents for the recruitment of foreign workers in their own sectors."They will make sure that only bonafide members are allowed to recruit the workers and also to ensure that the workers are not exploited or cheated," Eswaran said. (ANI)